Synchronized swimming is one tough sport

Aleksandra Lazovic, left, and Jillian Penner of The Seattle Synchro Swim Team compete in the 2005 AFLAC US National Synchronized Swimming Championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, WA. (Meryl Schenker/Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

One of our site’s most read stories today is the unusual near-drowning of four Seattle Synchronized Swim Team members at Kenmore’s St. Edward State Park. Team officials suspect chemicals are to blame. The swimmers, all between 12 and 14 years old, were in peak shape, according to their coaches.

P-I reporter Casey McNerthney, who covered this story last night, went through a practice with the team back in April 2005 before the U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships. He wrote about the experience in the first person. If you ever thought synchronized swimming looked easy, his account should set you straight. These girls are incredible.

P.S. — On the team the season McNerthney hit the pool was Aleksandra Lazovic, one of the coaches who jumped in to save the girls Monday. McNerthney later wrote a profile about Lazovic before the AFLAC U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships.